Container



7 June 18, 1935.-

J. M. HOTHERSALL CONTAINER Original Filed Aug. 22, 1931 iNVENTOR ATTORN 5 opened without the employment of tearing keys Patented June 18, 1935 comma 'John M. Hothersall, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to American Can Company, New corporation of New Jersey York, 2;, a

original applicatio n August -22, 1931, Serial No.

558,745. Divided and this application September 8, 1933, Serial No. 688,680

*LQlaims. (Cl. 220-48) I The'present invention relates to containers and hasfor its object broadly improvement in the construction of sheet metal containers adapted to be hermetically sealed and to be readily or other specially provided ripping devices. This is a division of my application Serial No. 558,745, filed August 22, 1931, on Container and method of manufacture. d

An object of the present invention is the pro-- vision of an improved hermetic closure 2. portion of which may be readily pried loose by any convenient or suitable tool.

The invention contemplates the provision of a sunken or annular channel in a can end at the base of which is provided a score line and along which severance may occur by merely inserting a tool in the channel and prying up the central portion of the cover.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a can end or cover scored to provide a radially removable part and so constructed and arranged that seaming of the cover to the can body may be accomplished without danger of severing along the score lines.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a container cover of the character described wherein the severable part may be used as a reclosure after opening of the container.

Numerous other objects of the invention will be apparent as itis better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container and a formed cover embodying the present invention and shown in separated position;

Fig. 2 a. sectional view of the united and closed container and cover illustrating the. opening operation wherein the score lines in the cover are about to bebroken and apart of the cover about to be removed as by a suitable prying instrument or; tool; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the severed cover part in use as a reclosure.

The preferred embodimentof the present invention as illustrated in the drawing comprises a container body I l preferably outwardly flanged as at l2 (Fig. 1) the body also having a bottom or end l3 secured thereto in any suitable manner as by a double seam I4.

A container cover I5 is provided for closing the container after it has been filled and this cover in its preferred form comprises a drawn central cup-shaped part l6, the cylindrical or side wall of which is curved preferably S-shaped or in a cyma curve in cross section (Figs. .1 and 2) which is formed by a. rounded shoulder part I! which merges into a relatively smaller inner grooved or curved wall l8, the latter merging into a flat wall l9 substantially parallel to the central part l6 of the cover. The wall l9 along its outer edge merges into a substantially right angled cylindrical wall 2| having a rounded corner 22.

The wall 2| of the cover connects with or terminates in an outer flange 23 which'is preferably bent downwardly or curled at 24 in the usual manner to condition it for application to the can body. The space between the wall parts 2| and I1, I8 constitutes an annular channel 25. An annular weakened score line 26 is cut into the wall Is at the base of the rounded part l8 and sets 01f a severable cover part 21 which includes the wall parts l6, l1 and I8.

After the container has been filled the cover member I5 is secured in sealing position; the body and cover flange parts I2, 23 being connected in any suitable manner as in a double seam 28 (Fig. 2). During the seaming operation the interfolding of the parts entering into the double seam is accomplished without throwing a strain upon the weakened score line 26 formed, in the cover as has been more fully pointed out in my pending application referred The usual shipping, storage and distribution may be performed relative to the sealed container and when access to the product is desired, the severablecover part 21 is broken away along the score line 26 and the container is opened. To perform such an opening it is merely necessary to insert the end of any suitable prying tool (designated by the numeral 3| Fig. 2) into the channel 25 of the cover.- The tool engages beneath the shoulder H as shown and rests upon by the broken score line in the remaining cover part, this reclosure position being illustrated in Fig. 3. Such a reclosure is not hermetically tight V invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbetore described being merely a preferred embodiment. thereof.

"'"Iclaimr 4 '1. A container cover for an easy open con- "tainer, comprising a drawn central portion having an annular upwardly and outwardly project- 'ing shoulder and an encircling score line formed in the cover adJacent the base of said shoulder, and an annular rim spaced from said shoulder and adapted to be secured to a container body and to support a prying tool which engages under said shoulder above said'score line to remove said central portionby tearing along said score line in the opening of said container.-

' 2. A container cover for an easy 09 1 container, comprising. a drawn cupped portion connected to a surrounding channel section having an encircling score lineand being laterally projected into an extending flange, the side walls of said cupped portion being bent into S-shape in cross section and providing an e shoulder for a prying tool N cuppedportioniromtheotherpartsoi'thecover by tearing along said score line.

3. A container cover for an easy open container, comprising a drawn cupped portion connectedto a surrounding channel section having when used for severing the said an encircling score line and being laterally projected into an extendingilangerwhich lies substantially'in the plane oi. the central wall of said cupped portion, the side walls or said cupped portion being bent into a-shape in cross section withthebaseotsaidwallsterminatinginsaid score line and providing an engaging shoulder for a prying tool when used for severing the said cupped portion iron the other parts of the'cover by tearing along/said score line..

4. A container cover for an easy open container, comprising a severable central portion set oi! by an encircling score line, said severable' portion .being formed with a projecting shoulder extending around its upper periph y and providing engagement for a prying tool used in opening the container by a breaking along said score line, this severance of the cover part leaving a projecting rim at the base of said shoulder, said rim being engageable in the opening surrounding the broken score line to permit use of the severed portionas areclosure.

JOHN M. n 

